Wegerle Says He Won't Start For U.s.

World Cup '94

June 14, 1994

Roy Wegerle, the most-experienced forward on the U.S. team, said he will not start Saturday in the Americans' World Cup opener against Switzerland. Wegerle, 30, was injured Jan. 8 and had three arthroscopic operations on his right knee this spring. He has not played a full game since Jan. 3.

U.S. coach Bora Milutinovic would not say whether he thought Wegerle was fit enough to play a full game, but Wegerle said he thought he was. ''I think I can, and I want to play,'' he said Monday. ''But that's what Bora's decided to do.''

BELGIANS TO PRACTICE

BELGIUM COACH Paul van Himst plans a light workout at noon today at Ormond Beach Airport Recreation Complex after Monday's 6-2 victory over the United States' Under-23 national team in a friendly match.

Van Himst was satisfied with his team's fitness level following the victory. ''We are not going to do too much training tomorrow because we've trained a lot the last two days,'' he said through an interpreter. ''. . . We are well-prepared for the next match.'' The Belgians will scrimmage the U-23s again Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at the Ormond Beach complex.

HEAT BOTHERS DUTCH

THE NETHERLANDS had its first encounter with the Florida heat Monday as it endured a one-hour practice session in 91-degree weather at the University of Central Florida. Defender Ronald Koeman had heard a lot about the heat, but apparently not enough. ''It's more difficult than we thought,'' Koeman said. ''It was a very short practice so I could not come to a definite conclusion. But we can't complain. It's needless because we have to play.''

Three Dutch players - midfielder/defender Frank Rijkaard, defender John de Wolf and forward Gaston Taument - did not practice because of injuries or illness.

VISAS REJECTED

THE UNITED States has turned down many Romanians applying for World Cup visas because it suspects they are would-be emigrants, U.S. Consul-General Nancy Pelletreau said. The United States was trying to help genuine fans, she said.

POLL: U.S. UNAWARE

SEVENTY-ONE percent of Americans surveyed still do not know the World Cup is being played in the United States, according to a Harris Poll released Monday. The world's most-watched sporting event begins in nine U.S. stadiums Friday, but 56 percent of those surveyed say they are not interested in watching any games on television, and 65 percent say they are not interested in attending. Only 38 percent know that the World Cup involves soccer. The poll of 1,253 adults was conducted from May 23 to 26 and has an error margin of 3 percent.

FIFA WARNS REFEREES

FIFA, soccer's governing body, said it will send home World Cup referees who fail to eject players for misconduct during the tournament. In an effort to increase offense, FIFA has told referees to eject players who tackle from behind. Four years ago, the rule called for ejection only if a player was tackled from behind with only the goalkeeper to beat.